Masking machine



Dec. 8, 1931. BLEECKER 1,835,004

MASKING MACH-INE Fzlged 0 22, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNE Y.

'8; 19 E. T. BLEECKER MASKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 22, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet2 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 8, 1931 I UNITED.STATES PATENT, OFFICE ensnm,v 'r.isminoimn, or

MASKING MACHINE Application filed October 22, 1928. Serial'No. 314,300.

This invention relates to a masking machine for use'in painting portionsof a surface exclusive of other portions of the same. 'It is an objectofthe invention to provide a simple mechanism'to cover a definite portionof a surface by means of a mechanically applied shield; 5

Another object is to provide a machine in which a pluralityof shieldsaremechanically applied in prearrangfed' order and still fur ther objectsreside in the novel constructions, arrangements and "combinations ofparts hereinafter to be described-with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the claiivingsin the several views of which like partshavebeen similarly desig nated,

Figure 1 represents a partially sectional plan View of the maskingmachine;

Figure 2,'a side elevation, looking in the direction of the arrow "A inFigure l;

Figure 3, a section taken on the line 33,

Figure 2; w i

' Figure 4, a section alongjthe line ll,

Figure 2'; w i 1 I Figure 5, :t'fragmentary section on" -n c line 55,'F1gure 3; Figure 6, a sectlonal View drawn to an enlarged scale of oneof the masks or shields of the construction, with adjoining parts,showing its application to an article of'manw facture, a surface ofwhich is being masked for the application of a'pigment, and V Figure 7,a perspectiveview drawn to a reduced scale, of the particular articlefor which the machine illustrated in the drawings is especiallydesigned, showing the application of'one of the masks ,of the machine toa surface ofthe article. 7

Referring to the drawings, the machine as shown is designed to masksimultaneously six surfaces of a box 5 of the design illustrated inFigure 1. 7

The box it will be noted, has four sides 6 and 7 in rectangularformation and two slanting lids 8 and the surfaces of all of these partshave been routed as at 9 to provide panels 10. It is the purpose of thepresent machine to mask the panels of the various surfaces so that apigment may be aphas four wing plied to the marginal portions of thesame, preferably by means of a spray-gun.

It is to be understood that the box as shown is merely illustrative ofthe uses of the machine and that the elements comprised in the latter,as hereinafter to be described, may be formed and zu'rangcd 111 anysuitable manner according to the shape, nature and propertions of thearticle of manufacture to which the machine is adapted.

The 11121Ci1l110 as shown comprises a stand 12, see Fig. 2, having abottom or base plate :13, four upright posts 1% of angle section and atop-plate or taole 15. The top-plate has four cornei cleats 16 to holdthe box to which the paints are to be applied in the proper position forthe application of the masks. The position of the i102; has beenindicated in broken lines in Figure 2. The base plate 13a at the ends ofv -:h are fulcruincd the maskcarrying lovers 1?. The levers arcfulcruinerl by means of hinges on crossarms 17a and their "lower, shortarms are bifurcated for their pivotal connection W? h sliding bars 18 ofthe operating mechanism.

The mechanism consists of av cam-wheel 19, see Fig. 4, supported forrotary oscillation by a pin 20 that extends through a central openingofthc base plate 13 and is supported in a step 21 on a. floor theupright posts 14.

The bars 18 slide in ways formed by parallel strips 2'3 fastened tothcunderside of the base plate; they are pivotally connected With thelovers by hinges 24, and they carry rollers 25 that travel incam-grooves 26 of the wheel 19. The wheel has aradially projectinghandle 27 for its manual rotation,

at the lower ends of but it is to be understood that the levers 17 maybe operated by power-driven means within the spirit of the invention.

The masks carried by the long arm of the lovers,

each consist of a shield 28 having a projecting rim 29, that is shapedin conformity with the route of the side or lid of the box, to

which it applies.

Two of the levers 17 carry masks adapted to engage the end-surfaces ofthe box and the other levers each carry two masks one (piadrant points,at

PUEBLO, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO ALBERT B. CHRISTY, OF COIORADO' SPRINGS,COLORADO above the other to respectively engage the V slanting lid andthe surface of the box at a side thereof. The masks are connected withthe respective levers by coiled springs as of the machine, the rims 29of the masks enter in the routes of the box-surfaces, and their flexibleconnections enable the masks to adjust themselves in'case of slightvariations in the position of the routes.

*A rotary motion imparted to the cam wheel by means of the handle,'causes the push-bars V to slide outwardly with the result that the longarms of the levers are simultaneously moved toward the box supportedbetween the cleatson the top-plate or table of the stand.

Themasks engaging with the respective surfaces of the box'are pressedinto close contact therewith by the sp'rings30. The

rims of the masks enter into the routes of. the surfaces, and the entirearrangement is such'that no paint can reach the panels shielded by themasks when the box is subsequently colored by the application of apigment through the mediumof a spray-gun. Theoperating mechanism ofrthemachine autoi' matically holds the levers in any "position to which theyare moved by rotation of the ca m wheel fl 1 Ithas beenstat'ed beforethat the machine .which has been shown as constructed for theapplication of the masks to a box of the particular form illustratedinFigure 7, may be variedin form and in the arrangementof its partsaccording to the size and shape of any article of'manufacture that is tobe painted,

exclusive of portions of their surfaces shielded by the masks' The masksare of course formed in correspondence with the contours of theseportions and in. case the surfaces are not routed, the rims 29 may beomitted.

The operating mechanism of the machine may also be varied withoutdeparting from the scope-of theinvention. I

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patcut is;

1. In a masking machine, a plurality of V shields adapted forapplication to surfaces of -anart1cle supported on the machine in adeterminate position, and mechanicalmeans to apply the shieldssimultaneously to the surfaces. a p 7 2. A masklng-machlne comprising astand adapted to support an article of manufacture in a determinateposition, a plurality of $1 shields mounted on the stand to maskportions of surfaces of the article, mechanical means on the stand tomove the shields to engagement with the surfaces, manually actuatablemeans to initiate operation of said mechanical means. I I J 1 3. Amasking-machine comprising a stand adapted to support an articleofimanufacture in a determinate position, a plurality of shields mountedon the stand to mask portions of surfaces'of the article, mechanicalmeans on t-he stand to move the shields simultaneou'sly to engagementwith the surfaces, manually actuatable means to initiate operation of.said mechanical means.

4. A masking-machine comprising a stand adapted to support an article ofmanufacture in a determinate position, a lever, a shield carried by thelever to engage with a surface.

of the article, mechanical means for the operation of the lever to movethe shield to engagement with said surface, manually actuatable meanstoinitiate operation of said mechanical means. 7 a p p 5. Amasking-machine comprising a base, a stand thereon adapted to supportanarticle of manufacture in v a determinate position, a lever on saidbase, a shield carriedby the lever to engage with asurface of thearticle, and means for the operation of the lever to move the shield toengagement with said surface including a rotary cam-wheel supported bythe base, in operative connection with the lever. v v

. 6. A masking-machine comprising a base,

a stand thereonadapted to support an article of manufacture in adeterminate position, a lever on said base, a shield carried by thelever to engage with a surface of the article, and meansv for theoperation of the lever to move the shield to engagement withsaid surfaceincluding a rotary wheel supported by the base and having a cam-slot, asliding bar connected with the lever, and .a roller on the bar, in thecam-slot. V V

7. A masking-machine comprising a base, a stand thereon adapted tosupport an article of manufacture in a determinate position, a pluralityof levers on said base, shields carried by the levers toengage withsurfaces of the article, and a cam-means for the simul- 3 taneouslyoperating the levers to move the shields to engagement with saidsurfaces.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

VEDSELL T. BLEECKER.

